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Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has co-sponsored legislation authored by Democrat Senator Carl Levin and Republican George Voinovich to prevent the spread of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes.

The invasive species has created problems throughout the lower Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and is now threatening to enter the Great Lakes through the Chicago Canal system. Klobuchar said the species has been spotted in Minnesota and throughout the Upper Mississippi river.

“Preserving the health of the Great Lakes is important to every Minnesotan, especially boaters and anglers,” said Klobuchar. “Keeping the Asian Carp out of our rivers and lakes is important to protecting the natural balance of our waters.”

Asian Carp are known for disrupting local ecosystems due to their large size, destructive eating habits, and rapid rate of reproduction. Their introduction into Great Lakes, Klobuchar said, would pose a significant risk to the ecosystem.

Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee which considers the bill this week.